The U.S. military is having trouble recruiting enough Americans as fewer remain eligible for military service. The single biggest reason for disqualification is overweight and obesity. This briefing note offers a summary of the ways in which obesity affects military recruiting and presents a recommendations on how it can be addressed.Read more...

For years, European leaders have pushed for a European Union bloc strategy regarding defense and global power projection. However, the fragmentation caused by member states' national defense strategies and agendas complicates EU efforts to unite under one defensive banner. The EU must better unite as a defensive bloc to ensure a Ukrainian victory, the security of the EU, and its member states' sovereignty and ideals.Read more...

ASP Intern Angus Soderberg was selected to attend the Aspen Institute’s Future Leaders Climate Summit in Miami Beach from March 3-6, 2023.Read more...

American agriculture is at a crossroads. Just 1 percent of Americans are farmers but the sector produces 11 percent of the country’s emissions. Researchers are developing technologies and farming practices that can help minimize the climate impact of farming, and even turn farms into net carbon sinks. But federal support will be essential to getting these innovations through the farm gate, and to ensuring that changes are sustained over the long term.Read more...

Electrification and EVs can reduce U.S. exposure to energy supply shocks and mitigate the risk of fuel disruption for military operations.Read more...

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The devastating impact of the war on Ukraine’s water and energy systems is a reminder of the role that infrastructure can play in modern conflicts. These brutal attacks reveal important lessons about the value of both small-scale solar energy aid and decentralized energy systems for energy security.Read more...

The United States is recovering its reputation as the defender and arsenal of democracy with its response to the invasion of Ukraine. Continued assistance is needed to ensure Ukrainian success, but beyond the war, the U.S. must maintain its leadership role in the democratic world. Read more...

Few industries are more attuned to—and dependent on—the weather than farming. In the coming decades, climate change will make farmers’ jobs more difficult than ever, as rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and spreading pests all take their toll on production. But agriculture is not a neutral actor: emissions from the sector account for more than 10 percent of the U.S. total, only marginally less than those from all commercial businesses and residences. And with Farm Bill negotiations about to start in earnest, its important to explore how innovation in agriculture—including advances in biotech, animal husbandry, soil and nutrient management, and more—can help agriculture adapt to climate change and reduce emissions. Read more...

The clean energy transition and strong clean car standards have several benefits for public health and the environment, but also have implications for national security. From strategic competition with China, to military recruiting and readiness, there are many benefits to adopting strong clean car standards. Read more...